Dive Brief:
- Educators who took part in an Edutopia Twitter chat recently said that tailoring lessons to each student is the best way to teach children, and that being able to diversify curriculum “can lead to a more equitable classroom.”
- Formative assessments are one way for teachers to determine a student's strengths and weaknesses, as are reflection questions, which also allow students to have some autonomy on choosing their own assignments.
- Technology tools including ThingLink and Socrative can help educators and administrators keep track of student progress, and then provide children with immediate feedback on their work.
Dive Insight:
Fine-tuning curriculum to each individual student is the best way to make sure academic lessons are absorbed. Differentiated instruction is one method that tailors learning to children depending on their abilities, and these can include online tools, including free options like Google Docs. These apps and sites can bring more immediate feedback to students, while also showing teachers where children are on a learning path and allowing them to quickly shift instruction if needed.
However, setting aside classroom time for inquiry can be even more beneficial, giving students an opportunity to express their thoughts and interests while also showing what they’ve learned. There, educators can see what students have grasped, and what support they may still need.
When educators have time for these thoughtful inquiries and assessments, curriculum really can be tailored more to each child. Administrators, therefore, should consider whether teachers have the instructional resources they need to meet students' individual needs and time in the school day to use them.
